Ghias Khan has done his basic schooling at Karachi.
After completing his O' Level from St. Michael's Convent School and A'
Level from St. Patrick's High School, joined BBA (Hons) programme at
Institute of Business Administration (IBA) . He completed his MBA in
1998 . Ghias started his career with Intel Pakistan as Management
Associate. His responsibility was to plan and implement strategies for
creating awareness about Information Technology and marketing of
computer hardware and networking products based on Intel architecture
in Pakistan. Later on he joined Indosuez W. I. I. Carr Securities . He
worked in the capacity of financial advisor for various public and
private sector companies/projects. At present he is Chief Executive
Officer of INBOX BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES — the first ever, Intel
Premier Provider in Pakistan.

PAGE: How would you like to introduce your
company?

Ghias: At present INBOX offers a wide range
of locally assembled products qualifying to international standards
along with a wide range of networking products. INBOX will soon be
launching its own indigenous brand of personal computers based on
Intel's building blocks. Although, a number of locally assembled
computers are being sold in Pakistan, but the product which we have in
mind will be much superior because we will use quality components only
as specified by Intel.

Introducing a local brand was not an obsession.
Many other vendors are already selling locally assembled computers. I
position INBOX competing with both globally known brands and locally
assembled units. However, our strategy is, not to compete purely on
the basis of price. Computer is an investment not because of its cost
but more importantly due to the data being processed and stored. As
the population of local area networks is growing and Pakistan is
moving towards e-corporations, selection of right type of hardware and
software has become critical.

As business entities hardly go for complete
automation in one go, they must keep in mind future expansion and
integration. INBOX provide turn-key solutions which involves selection
of hardware and software and we are certainly better placed to cater
to the needs of business entities who wish to achieve the goal of
e-corporation.

PAGE: Why did you decide to become Intel
Premier Provider?

Ghias: Intel is a leading brand in the world
and also believes in facilitating a network of approved
dealers/service providers who are capable of providing exceptional
customer services and the latest technology. We believe that our
association with the world leader in information technology would add
value. Therefore, INBOX took the initiative to establish/qualify
itself as an Intel Premier Provider. Intel gave us the status after
thorough evaluation of our engineers and facilities. INBOX was the
first company to acquire this status in Pakistan.

PAGE: What is the advantage of being an
Intel Premier Provider?

Ghias: Being an Intel Premier Provider, we
have an advantage over other competitors in terms of providing
industry-leading technology solutions. Technology solutions and after
sales service that we are capable of providing are of excellent
quality. We can do this only because our engineers are qualified and
also certified by

Intel. They are capable of integrating and
supporting
desktops and servers based on Intel architecture. We offer fault
tolerant business critical solutions and communication products. These
include commercial desktops, laptops, consumer PCs and networking
products.

PAGE: How does this programme adds value?

Ghias: Intel premier provider programme is
designed to promote an enhanced relationship between Intel and
solution providers. An Intel solution provider belongs to Intel
e-business network including service providers, system builders, and
network integrators. An Intel Premier Provider must have at least two
Intel certified engineers. INBOX has four such certified engineers,
savvy in platform integration and solution consultancy which includes
desktops and servers.

PAGE: What is the growth potential of
information technology in Pakistan?

Ghias: According to various industry surveys
and reports, Pakistan not only has a very high potential for growth
but computer population, number of information technology literates
are also growing in geometrical progression. The rate is expected to
become higher as the present government has not only realized the
importance of information technology but has also provided the
necessary incentives. It is worth noting that the younger generation
is very keen to acquire excellence in this area.

PAGE: What is your message to PAGE readers?

Ghias: We should try to use information
technology in our core industries to enhance production, productivity
and competitiveness. As the profitability of core industries improve
not only that they will grow but there will also be a higher demand
for computer hardware and software in allied and up stream/down stream
industries. We must remember that information technology is a tool for
improving overall efficiency and it is not an end product.